Depression and anxiety in pain clinic patients. Rapid assessment by microcomputer

Computer administered depression and anxiety rating scales were used in a pilot study to screen patients attending a regional pain relief unit. Patients found the procedure acceptable and helpful. There was a poor correlation between the computer assessments and doctors' ratings, with in general a much greater degree of morbid depression and anxiety revealed by the computer. Computer administered rating scales may be useful as a screening tool in pain clinic patients to identify those at risk of significant psychiatric morbidity.